17th January 2018 | Rob Tognoni | Brave

#TrackOfTheWeek is normally reserved for the latest single, or perhaps one of the lead tracks from the hottest new albums. But this week we’ve reached back to 2016 to find the last recorded peep from our favourite Australian (Jimmy Barnes?!), Rob Tognoni.

There are very few that bring as much energy and enthusiasm to the UK blues circuit as Rob Tognoni. I smile as I say that, because he actually hails from over 10,000 miles away! With the annual Great British Rock & Blues Festival coming up in a couple of days, we decided to feature an artist performing this weekend, and we thought we would pick a track that we’ve had spinning for a good year or so now. You can check out or top five picks for the weekend by clicking here.

Brave

Today we have chosen the title and opening track from Rob’s last album Brave from 2016. Brave, the album, whilst more power chord-heavy than ever before, is no departure from the sound that we have all come to love. Tognoni counts Zeppelin, Slade and Grand Funk Railroad among his influences, and we feel all three are channelled throughout the album.

The title track Brave defines the album from the start: powerful; confident and bluesy to the core. Rob has a growl to his voice, almost threatening to start. There is a menacing stomp to the drums. The guitar work isn’t there to be flashy or impressive at the beginning, the chord work complimenting the suspenseful drum and bass. The track isn’t slow nor meandering, but it isn’t hellfire like a Top Gear trailer either. The lyrics to the chorus are simply “Brave, Brave”.

Rob Tognoni At His Best

Sounds relatively unimpressive, right? Well, no – in fact it is a splendid introduction to an album full of purpose and a feeling of “this is how it is from now on…” The third verse is the afterburner.

I don’t worry about dyin’, I ain’t scared of that day, I’d face up to my confessions, then I’d have my say, have my say, yeah, I’ll see you in heaven, yeah, I’ll guide you the way, I’ll be brave for eternity, I’ll be brave, come what may.

Well not content with offering his mission statement so early in the album he absolutely lets rip with a guitar solo that would deserve a salute from Hendrix, Bonamassa and Slash. I’ve always loved Tognoni’s guitar work, but I have no clue where this comes from, this is different. So we ask you Rob, what’s changed? Whatever it is, we hope it’s here to stay.

We are looking forward to seeing Rob this weekend, you can catch him on Sunday at 2:30pm on the Blues stage. Until then you can listen to the track Brave on Spotify below, and hopefully the rest of the album too.

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